Remains of the Day

Perhaps I should stop looking back so much. I should adopt a more positive attitude towards what remains of my day.

I gave him the very best I had to give. And now - well - I find I do not have much left to give.'

We cannot spend our lives dreaming about what might have been

But there are times, of course, when one thinks to oneself: "What a terrible mistake I have made with my life." And one thinks about a different life, a better life one might have had.

he more I think about it, the less certain I am that Miss Kenton spoke to me on that day as boldly as I have just reported. It was still early in our relationship, and I am sure that she did not say things like:
'These errors may be unimportant, but you must realize their larger significance.' In fact, I think it was Lord Darlington who used those words.

it is so important to you, Miss Kenton, I admit that it is possible that the Chinaman has been placed incorrectly. But I really cannot understand why you are so worried about such unimportant errors.'

iss Kenton, please! What would the other employees think if they heard us shouting at the top of our voices about Chinamen?'
'The fact is, Mr Stevens, all the Chinamen in this house have been dirty for some time! And now they are in incorrect positions!'
'Miss Kenton, you are being ridiculous. Kindly let me pass.'
'Mr Stevens, will you kindly look at the Chinaman behind you?'

If you had, you would have realized that it is not appropriate for someone of your youth and inexperience to call my father by his first name.

'A most understandable error, Miss Kenton. However, you must understand that you are speaking to my father, not just another servant.'
'I still don't understand, Mr Stevens. I believe I am the housekeeper of this house, while your father is the under-butler.'
'He is of course the under-butler, as you say. But I am surprised that you have not noticed that he is, in fact, much more than that.'
'I have obviously been very unobservant, Mr Stevens. I have only noticed that your father is an excellent under-butler.'
'

It is an easy error to make,' I said with a small smile. 'May I ask you, Miss Kenton, to refer to my father as "Mr Stevens" in future? I would be very grateful.'
I returned to my work but, to my surprise, Miss Kenton did not leave. 'Excuse me, Mr Stevens,' she said after a moment.
'Yes, Miss Kenton.'
'I'm afraid I don't quite understand. I'm accustomed to using the servants' first names. It is usual, I believe.'
'A most understandable error, Miss Kenton. However, you must understand that you are speaking to my father, not just another servant.'
'I still don't understand, Mr Stevens. I believe I am the housekeeper of this house, while your father is the under-butler.'
'He is of course the under-butler, as you say. But I am surprised that you have not noticed that he is, in fact, much more than that.'
'I have obviously been very unobservant, Mr Stevens. I have only noticed that your father is an excellent under-butler.'